Sweatband-harness assembly

ABSTRACT

A sweatband-harness assembly comprising an elongated sponge, a plastic harness attached thereto with the harness having a plurality of runners extending longitudinally of the sponge and a plurality of spaced straps extending transversely from the harness and beyond the opposite side edges of the sponge, and a gauze-like fabric on the opposite side of the harness from the sponge, with the harness, sponge and gauze secured to each other by stitching.

United States Patent Militello [54] SWEATBAND-HARNESS ASSEMBLY [72] Inventor: James V. Militello, Williamsville,

Assignee: American Allsafe Company, Inc.,

Buffalo, NY.

Filed: March 16, 1970 Appl. No; 19,810

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1966 Morgan ..2/181.4X 5/1939 Sterne ..2/171 a ca 21- 5 l [15] 3,685,055 1 Aug. 22, 1972 3,253,281 5/1966 Benner ..2/3 R 3,008,145 11/1961 Austin et a1 ..2/3 R 2,628,361 2/1953 Heyck ..2/1 81 3,466,664 9/ 1969 Mitilello ..2/ 171 3,280,406 10/ 1966 Imrnel ..2/ l 81 Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin Attorney-Sommer, Weber & Gastel ABSTRACT A sweatband-harness assembly comprising an elongated sponge, a plastic harness attached thereto with the harness having a plurality of runners extending longitudinally of the sponge and a plurality of spaced straps extending transversely from the harness and beyond the opposite side edges of the sponge, and a gauze-like fabric on the opposite side of the harness from the sponge, with the harness, sponge and gauze secured to each other by stitching.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTE] we 22 m2 mvawoa James V. Militello ATTORNEYS 1 SWEATBAND-HARNESS ASSEMBLY The present invention relates an improved sweatband-harness assembly for removable attachment to the headband of a hard hat of the type worn by people in the construction industry.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved sweatband-harness assembly which can be removably placed within the headband of a hard hat in an extremely simple and expeditious manner thereby encouraging the frequent replacement thereof for sanitary and comfort reasons.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved sweatband-harness assembly in which the various components cooperate with each other to produce a sweatband which will not deteriorate rapidly in use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved sweatband-harness assembly which can be fabricated in an extremely simple and expedient manner. Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will readily be perceived hereafter.

The present invention relates to an improved sweatband-harness assembly including an elongated absorbent member, a harness attached thereto by means of stitching, and a plurality of spaced straps forming an integral part of the harness and extending laterally outwardly from the sponge member for encircling a headband of a hard hat, and fastener means on the strap means for securing the strap means in position in encircling relationship to said headband to thereby maintain the absorbent member in brow-engaging position on the headband.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the relationship of the improved sweatband-harness assembly relative to the headband and the remainder of a hard hat;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved sweatband-harness assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2',

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the present invention.

The improved sweatband-harness assembly 10 of the present invention is intended to be removably attached inside of the headband 11 of hard hat 12 in the area of the brow of the wearer. Headband 11 is located on the interior of the hat l2 and is held in spaced relationship thereto by any suitable means not shown. The top of the head of the wearer is protected by the usual cross straps 13, only two of which are partially shown, it being understood that a greater number of these extend upwardly from headband 11.

The sweatband-harness 10 of the present invention preferably includes three elements, namely, an elongated sponge band 14, a molded plastic harness 15, and a gauze-like fabric strip 16 joined to sponge band 14 by means of longitudinal lines of stitching 17 and 18 which also pass through portions of harness 15.

The sponge 14 may be fabricated by cutting a sponge-like member to the shape of an elongated solid rectangular configuration. While it preferably is a cellulose product, it will be understood that it can comprise any other suitable type of absorbent member which will take up the sweat from the brow and permit it to evaporate to the atmosphere.

The harness 15 preferably comprises an integral molded polyvinyl chloride plastic member which includes elongated runners l9 and 20 and straps 21, 22 and 23 which extend outwardly beyond both side edges of sponge 14. The straps 21, 22 and 23 include central portions 24, 25 and 26, respectively, which extend between the parallel runners l9 and 20. First ends of straps 21, 22 and 23 contain longitudinally spaced apertures 27 therein which can selectively receive buttons 28 on the other ends of the strap with which they are associated. Each button 28 is molded integrally with the end of the strap and includes a neck portion 29 and an enlarged head portion 30 which is slightly larger than the apertures 27 so that it can be snapped therethrough after the strap 22 has been placed in encircling relationship relative to headband 11, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3. The ends of the straps in their attaching position lie in the space between headband 11 and the shell of head 12, as can best be seen in FIG. 1. The sweatband will remain in position on the headband until such time as it is removed by unbuttoning the straps.

The gauze strip 16 which is sewn to sponge 14 by means of rows of stitching 17 and 18 performs a plurality of functions. Firstly, it assists in holding harness 15 in place as can best be visualized in FIG. 2. Furthermore, it assists in prolonging the life of sponge member 14 by strengthening it against deterioration in use. It can readily be seen that the same stitching l7 and 18 which is used to secure the gauze 16 to sponge 14 also passes through spaced portions of straps 21, 22 and 23 to also secure the harness 15 to the sponge member 14.

During fabrication of the sweatband-harness assembly 10, the use of the integrally formed harness facilitates manufacture because it need merely be laid on one face or side of the sponge. This is the side which, upon installation, is located in contiguous relationship to the inner side of headband 1 1, while the opposite side will contact the brow of the wearer, all as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The runners 19 and 20 will aid in aligning the straps 21, 22 and 23 relative to the sponge. In this respect, straps 21 and 23 are placed equal distances from the ends of the precut sponge l4 and runners 19 and 20 are placed equal distances from the side edges of the sponge. Thereafter rows of stitching l7 and 18 are applied to the assembly of the sponge harness and gauze backing 16. The foregoing assembly is completed by folding binder strips 31 and 32 transversely across the ends of sponge l4 and gauze 16 and sewing such strips 24 in place by stitching 33 and 34.

In FIG. 5 an alternate embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The sweatband-harness assembly 10' may be identical in all respects to the embodiment of FIG. 2 except that harness 15' includes only a single longitudinal runner 35 rather than the two spaced runners l9 and 20 of FIG. 2. Otherwise, all other elements are identical and for the sake of brevity, a detailed description of the identical elements has been omitted.

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. This embodiment is identical in all respects to the embodiment of FIG. 2 except that the gauze 16 of FIG. 2 has been omitted and the stitching rows 36 and 37 pass through runners 38 and 39 instead of through the gauze 16 of FIG. 2 which holds the runners of that Figure in position. Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 6 that end straps 21 and 23' are flush with the end of sponge 14. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 it is merely necessary to align the outer edges of straps 21' and 23' with the ends of sponge l4 and align runners 38 and 39 parallel to the side edges of sponge 14' and thereafter run rows of stitching 36 and 37 through the assembly.

What is claimed is:

l. A sweatband-harness assembly comprising an elongated member having opposite sides and side edges, with one of said sides being adapted for-placement in contiguous relationship to the inner side of a headband of headgear, and the other of said sides being adapted to contact the brow of the wearer, harness means for attaching said absorbing member relative to said headband, and attachment means for securing said harness means to said absorbing member, said harness means comprising a plurality of straps spaced from each other along said one side of said elongated absorbing member, extending transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof and having end portions projecting beyond said opposite side edges thereof for encircling said headband, elongated runner means attached to and connecting said straps along said one side of said elongated absorbing member between said end portions of said straps for retaining said straps in said spaced relationship, and fastener means on said end portions of said straps for securing said end portions thereof to each other to retain said sweatband assembly in position on said headband.

2. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim l wherein said attachment means for securing said harness means to said absorbing member comprises stitching.

3. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said elongated absorbing member comprises a sponge, and a cloth backing attached to said sponge over said harness means by said stitching.

4. A sweatband-hamess assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated runner means and said straps are integral and formed of plastic, and wherein said fastener means comprises an integral button-like member on one of said end portions of each of said straps and aperture means on the other of said end portions of each of said straps for selectively receiving said button-like member.

5. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said elongated runner means comprise first and second spaced runners located substantially parallel to said side edges, and a space between said runners extending lengthwise of said absorbing member.

6. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said elongated absorbing member comprises a sponge, a porous cloth backing member located on said one side of said sponge with a portion of said harness means located between said cloth backing member and said sponge, and wherein said means for securing said harness means to said absorbing member comprises stitching extending through said harness means,

s on ,and rous cloth backin member.

735 swe t band assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said attachment for securing said harness means to said absorbing member comprises stitching.

8. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said aperture means comprise a plurality of apertures extending lengthwise of each of said straps.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 685 055 D ted Auqust 22 L 1972 Inventor(s) James Vi Militello It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 14, before "member" insert -absorbing.

Column 4, line 26, before "means" insert attachment-.

Column 4, line 31, after "attachment" insert means.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of February 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCH11;R,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM 30-1050 (0439) USCOMM-DC 6O376-P69 & U.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 969 356334 

1. A sweatband-harness assembly comprising an elongated member having opposite sides and side edges, with one of said sides being adapted for placement in contiguous relationship to the inner side of a headband of headgear, and the other of said sides being adapted to contact the brow of the wearer, harness means for attaching said absorbing member relative to said headband, and attachment means for securing said harness means to said absorbing member, said harness means comprising a plurality of straps spaced from each other along said one side of said elongated absorbing member, extending transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof and having end portions projecting beyond said opposite side edges thereof for encircling said headband, elongated runner means attached to and connecting said straps along said one side of said elongated absorbing member between said end portions of said straps for retaining said straps in said spaced relationship, and fastener means on said end portions of said straps for securing said end portions thereof to each other to retain said sweatband assembly in position on said headband.
 2. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment means for securing said harness means to said absorbing member comprises stitching.
 3. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said elongated absorbing member comprises a sponge, and a cloth backing attached to said sponge over said harness means by said stitching.
 4. A sweatband-harness assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated runner means and said straps are integral and formed of plastic, and wherein said fastener means comprises an integral button-like member on one of said end portions of each of said straps and aperture means on the other of said end portions of each of said straps for selectively receiving said button-like member.
 5. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said elongated runner means comprise first and second spaced runners located substantially parallel to said side edges, and a space between said runners extending lengthwise of said absorbing member.
 6. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said elongated absorbing member comprises a sponge, a porous cloth backing member located on said one side of said sponge with a portion of said harness means located between said cloth backing member and said sponge, and wherein said means for securing said harness means to said absorbing member comprises stitching extending through said harness means, sponge, and porous cloth backing member.
 7. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said attachment means for securing said harness means to said absorbing member comprises stitching.
 8. A sweatband assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said aperture means comprise a plurality of apertures extending lengthwise of each of said straps. 